The Korean regulator filed a criminal complaint against Hermes in July, alleging the group illegally profited from selling Samsung shares after spreading rumours that the conglomerate was the target of a hostile takeover.

A spokesman for the Financial Supervisory Commission in Korea said the case was with the Supreme Prosecutors Office, who would shortly decide whether to pursue criminal charges.

Watson, who returned from Korea yesterday, said: "We had friendly, cooperative and useful discussions with the Prosecutors' Office. We came to Korea entirely voluntarily and at our instigation. We believe that Hermes has done nothing wrong under Korean laws. We look forward to a speedy resolution of this matter."

The initial inquiry was triggered by an interview given by Robert Clements, a former Hermes employee, gave to a Korean newspaper.

Regulators allege that Clements engaged in a scheme to manipulate the trading of shares in Samsung and that Hermes was liable for his illegal activities

Hermes sold its entire 5% holding in a unit of the Samsung Group a few days after Clements is alleged to have told local media that Samsung could be the target of a foreign takeover bid. The article sent the company's shares climbing.